Missing for a month: man charged over Robyn's disappearance

Jared Lynch

Police have charged a self-confessed drug addict with the murder of missing Melbourne woman Robyn Hall.

Paul Dalton, 43, of Hampton Park appeared at an out-of-sessions hearing at the Melbourne Custody Centre on Monday.

Sporting tattoos on both arms, he appeared calm, wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Dalton told the bail justice he had a drug addiction and at the end of the hearing when he was asked if he understood the proceedings he nodded and said ‘‘no worries’’.

He was denied bail. Detective Senior Constable Mick Cashman said ‘‘due to the gravity of the offence he is an unacceptable risk’’ to the community and if released ‘‘may contact prosecution witnesses and obstruct the course of justice’’.

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Ms Hall, 35, of Noble Park, vanished from a home on Phillip Island more than a month ago. Police are yet to locate of her body.

Detectives arrested Dalton on Monday morning. Police said he was the owner of white van, which was seen near the residence on Lantana Road in Cape Woolamai around the time Ms Hall disappeared.

The vehicle is being forensically examined. Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen the van in the past month to come forward.

Ms Hall was last seen at the home in Cape Woolamai on December 19 about 6pm. She made her last withdrawal from her bank account at 3.20pm that afternoon from a bank in Cowes.

The next day a friend visited the home and discovered Ms Hall and four bags of personal belongings were missing, police said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles from the homicide squad told radio station 3AW last week that Ms Hall was staying with a male friend at the Phillip Island house.

Ms Hall told the friend on the day of her disappearance that ‘‘somebody was coming to pick her up’’ that day.

People with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au.